Xola: Once Upon a Time
I hadn't told anyone about the dreams or the ghost call that I had. Thank goodness, I hadn't had another call since then.
I started my day as I usually do, with a nice 20 minute run on the treadmill. After dealing with Azreal constantly calling me a fat bitch every chance he got, I wanted to make sure no one teased me about my weight ever again. Don’t get me wrong, I love every bit of my skin, but the name calling and teasing hurts.
After my workout, I took a shower and went to work. Being a waitress wasn't something I saw myself doing, but it helped to make ends meet momentarily, I’m just fortunate that Miss O doesn't charge much for rent. I had been saving the past few months for a new bed, the current one was getting too hard and I was tossing and turning a lot. I placed my order on my phone and asked the furniture company to deliver it to the house while I was working. On my lunch break, I took a brief nap in the backroom.
Xo? Xo?! You home baby?
I’m in the kitchen, Azreal.
[Goes in the kitchen and pulls flowers from behind his back] Happy birthday baby!!
[Smiling] Thank you!!
Hey Xo, you know I’m sorry about last night right?
Yeah Aze, I know you didn't mean it.
I would never hurt you like that, I don't even know what made me slap you. I promise I’ll never do it again.
I believe you, these flowers are beautiful. What else is that behind your back?
[He smiles and pulls his hand out] Well, I was going to wait until after dinner, but [drops to one knee] Will you marry me Xola Marie?
Yes Aze!!
When my alarm when off, I shook the dream off quickly. I didn't want to think about the day he proposed or him every again.
I finished my shift and headed home. I was craving Lasagna, so I went straight to the kitchen and whipped up a pan. Everyone could smell it as I pulled it from the oven and we sat down to eat, a new face emerged from the lower part of the house.
“Valentina, Xola, this is Terra,” Miss O began to speak before Terra cut her off. “I don't want these hoes knowing my name, its none of their business.” Miss O ignored her and continued, “She is new resident of Haven House, please help her to feel welcome.”
We both spoke to Terra but she just rolled her eyes and went back to her food. “So you’re going to eat my food but not speak to me?” I spoke up, I was annoyed by her rudeness. “HELLO,” she said sarcastically, “My name is Terra, I wont be here long because my man will be coming to get me soon, this lasagna is good.”
Miss O laughed, “Honey, you are here because your parents think you need to stay away from this boy. He bad news for you.” Terra didn't like this, she threw the plate across the room and yelled, “Dice loves me! So what if he’s shot some people, they deserved the shit. I’m 17 and old enough to know what I want.”
I just shook my head as I cleared my plate and went upstairs to do my nightly workout. I passed by my bed and couldn’t wait to climb into it!
I worked out for about 30 minutes before heading outside to one of my other favorite parts of the house, the garden.
I had started growing fruits, vegetables and herbs in the garden, I was excited to see the fruits of my labor. While out there, I thought about the dream I had on my break. Why was I still holding on to those memories? I didn’t understand it. When I first got here, Miss O recommended counselling, but I didn’t want to talk to anyone at the time. Maybe I will search for a therapist in the morning. For now, I was going to go upstairs and lay in my new fluffy bed, right after I take my engagement ring off and put in my nightstand.
